Coffee Talk, R&R and Homemade Chicken Soup for the Soul

Greetings Friends!

 It's finally starting to feel a little more like fall here and I love it. I've just finished up a long freelance styling job. It was a little intense and physical, but I love that I get to meet and work with interesting and nice people, and it beats the cubicle any day (no offense to cubicles, it's just not the life for me). It's the non-structure that allows me to work on my own design efforts and I'm grateful for it. I'm a under the weather with a cold, so I thought I'd just share a few recent reflections of gratitude and inspiration. 

 The first day after wrapping that job, I was excited to jump back into ErinElsie Fall/Winter design projects, but unfortunately I woke up with a sore throat, runny nose, and achy body. I was forced into a day off of rest and recovery; probably a blessing in disguise as sometimes you really do just need to stop and rest. The best part of all, I have a man who can cook, and his homemade chicken soup certainly is helping! The warm and simple soup helped me physically, but the fact that he dropped what he was doing and made it for me fed my soul - a reminder to always be grateful for the little everyday gestures of love.     

This past week, my Nan Jule passed away. She was my great aunt, my grandmother Elsie's sister, and such a perfect representation of the strong and loving ladies in my family. The kind of ladies that will ride a tractor, catch their own fish, cook the most amazing homemade food, and take care of virtually everyone around them. I have vivid memories of my grandmother and Nan Jule talking on the phone to each other loudly in French.  When we would go over to Nan Jule's house, she would give us these little bags filled with candy and one dollar bills - what child wouldn't love that! It makes me smile to think of those days and I am grateful for the memories. The day after she passed, a little heart appeared in the foam of my homemade latte. Simple it may seem, but this little sign made me smile and gave me a sense of peace with it all. 

And speaking of signs, this was on a building across from the one I was working in. I just happen to glance in a certain direction and saw my last name, Blank. In a place like Manhattan where there are buildings on top of buildings and new and old ones sandwiched together, it was a pretty neat coincidence. I never tire of checking out all the old buildings here and learning more of the history, and now I shall do a little research into this one.  

And lastly, just a little bit of inspiration I came across on instagram from @ekoluv and @emilykatesymes. In building my business, it's more than just turning out clothes. I want to build an ethical business I can be proud of - one that is built on passion and not greed, and one that appreciates craftsmanship and artistry. In whatever you do, be the change you want to see in the world!

Ok, now back to my hot tea, rest, and recovery so I kick this cough/cold!

Thanks for following along on my journey and be well!
xo
 -Erin

http://www.erinelsie.com 
Follow along on Instagram: ErinBlank_Designer

Dear Mom, 7 Days of "Thank You": Day 1

As Mother's Day approaches, and I thought about what I can do to show gratitude toward my mom, I reflected on how things I have learned from her influence me everyday.  In response, here is day one of "Dear Mom, 7 Days of "Thank You."

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Day 1 - Thank you, Mom for instilling that can do, hands-on, power to create.

As a little girl, my mom made me lots of clothes, which she often let me edit with her. We'd shop around in department stores, talk about the ones we liked, and then she'd recreate our own version of them for about 1/3 the price to perfectly fit me. Sometimes there was even a custom bow to match. In retrospect, I love that this was not simply my mom forcing me into a dress she made, but us collaborating on a dress for me. She'd often make her own patterns out of freezer paper or wax paper if needed. She always had the attitude, "We can make that,"- never intimidated and never afraid of failure or being hand-ons. Mistakes were always creative opportunities. This applied to most any craft project or school project. She taught me all her fundamentals of sewing and gave me a new respect for quality and craftsmanship. She even nabbed me an old dress form from the late 50's to work on. It is the one I learned to drape on, still my favorite, and the one I use to this day.

Learning to create with my hands empowered me and made me approach the world in a different way. It is my world now and I'm not looking back.

Thanks Mom! Love You!


-Erin

http://www.erinelsie.com
Follow me on Instagram: ErinBlank_Designer

*Readers, thanks for taking the time to share in my creative journey*

My bag runneth over...with print-spiration :)

My bag runneth over...with print-spiration!

Recently, I was able to get together with some Fashion Merchandising students from my alma mater, currently on an exploratory New York City trip(Louisiana Tech I love thee!) At first, talking with seniors and juniors currently in college made me feel a little old and slightly intimidated. I was relieved to find them captivated and interested in hearing about my journey since my days at Louisiana  Tech. I felt sort of like a temporary rock star just for surviving here and going for my dreams - and sometimes that little pat on your shoulder is just what you need. I hope in some way their chat with me was inspiring and will encourage them to work hard and go for what they want; but more importantly I hope they know that they inspired and revived me. I think we sometimes feel so anxious or focused on the future, we forget to take a little moment to acknowledge how for we've come.  

  After our chat, the sun came out and the temperatures were slightly warmer. I found myself enjoying my free afternoon of solitude, strolling the streets in a part of town a little foreign to me. That is truly one of my favorite things to do in New York- wander. In the hectic everyday, we don't always get to, we just commute from place to place and then home. 

 To my delight, I came upon a huge thrift store - one of my favorite places to wander! Luckily I have disciplined myself to take only as much as I can carry, because I found some really great hidden gems, along with a sale- very dangerous for a thrifter like me! When I find something with great fabric and/or print and I'm instantly inspired by the possibilities- I have to have it. I left with a bag full of awesome pieces and a mind full of inspiration! It's a huge part of why I do what I do- making every item special, with a story that goes beyond the design. 

Stealing this top for myself ;)

                                "Not all who wander are aimless" (Mona Lisa Smile, 2003)

Certainly an inspiring day all around! Now back to work for me! 

Cheers friends, 
xo
 -Erin 
http://www.erinelsie.com

Follow me on Instagram: ErinBlank_Designer
Follow my "Remnants" blog onTumblr: http://erinblank.tumblr.com/

I've got mail...

Happy October Everyone!

 I'll keep the pictures to a minimum as I am in my pajamas and covered in thread- one of my happiest ways to be! I'm at home working on my new fall things. The weather is so beautiful here in New York and inspiration abounds! There is a change in the air and in the momentum of ErinElsie. I received news that some of my items at a boutique out west have sold. As always, I celebrate the little things, little stepping stones on my creative journey. 

To my delight, I also received a package in the mail from a dear blog reader, Joy Lee. She has been hanging on to a unique, huge, patchwork suede cape for the last 20 years. She has only been able to wear it once, and now has no use of it in southern Louisiana. Joy offered to send it to me to use as I'd like and I could not resist. I love a good vintage piece with a story. She bought this cape in Deadwood, SD, and it was originally made in a leather factory in south Texas. It feels good when others trust me enough to hand special things over to me. Finding and using unique materials is such a huge part of my work, and a huge source of inspiration. I can't wait to get my hands on this cape. I love the basic idea of the cape, so I plan to try and update it into a shorter, more wearable one. I'll use the leftover suede for some other pieces I have in mind...

Also, speaking of Texas, I received an email from a sweet, stylish, and accomplished blogger named Tori Johnson from San Antonio, TX. As a souther girl myself, I love the warmth that comes across in her blog, The sTORIbook. I will be working with her soon on a little promotion and I'm so excited that she reached out me. Please stay tuned and check out Tori's blog :)



Okay, back to work for me. Thanks for reading and have a super weekend!

xo,
 Erin
www.erinelsie.com